Yesterday we discussed our reasons for returning to an author after reading one of their novels. Admittedly, some of us will only partially warm up to one book by an author but enough to make us go back for seconds, to give them another chance to rock our worlds. If they don't manage to score with their second effort, it's likely we'll never return for more.
Now let's examine what bugs us the most. What are your button-pushers in novels? Sometimes they can be the opposite factors of those things which draw us, but for some readers, especially those who are writers, it can be things like ignoring the "rules".
Here are my button-pushers:
1. Protagonists I don't like. And characters in general that I don't like. You won't salvage the story for me if I can't engage with the main character(s).
2. A plot ploy which abrupts the story, doesn't fit with the character(s), is convenient.
3. Writing that is too "clean" and serves all the "rules". It feels like cookie-cutter writing.
4. Formulaic. Predictable.
5. Lacks emotion, passion.
Phew. Who knew I had so many?
God, only you can provide the necessary inspiration, tools, and direction to write compelling stories. Only you. Help me to touch those you have in mind for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.